Some of the blog-based discussion on John Edwards's recent support for mandatory service have confused it with support for a military draft. A comment by Elizabeth Edwards on the Daily Kos offers clarification:

Sign our petition to show your support for a program of mandatory national service. Help make each generation one that understands the role of participation in the society and the strength of all adults working for that society. Take a minute, sign it now, then send it to your friends.

Today I heard from one of the founders of ServeNext, a 527 political advocacy organization that promotes the expansion of national service. Their angle is to encourage greater federal support for the network of voluntary national service programs: AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, Senior Corps, and Peace Corps. I agree that these programs should be supported, at the same time there is a program of mandatory national service. With the mandatory program setting the expectations for all Americans, the voluntary programs would be more sought out, and take a new role in a nation energized with public commitment.